>>host: has part of our series looking at the fiscal cliffs we look at different aspects today we turn our attention to the amt and the patch that could work out a deal if they do nothing it will affect 30 million americans. john buckley thank you for being here. what is the alternative minimum tax? >>guest: you pay the greater of the regular income tax or under the minimum tax that has the broader-based to disallow those deductions. >> in some respects it is similar to the itemize deductions rather than directly attack it puts the overall cap there is no new ideas it bears a strong relationship. >>host: here's the form for the 2011 tax preparation the alternative minimum taxes you fall into it? how do you know, ? >> i believe you could only do this with computer programs like tax prepares if fried did not have that i do believe that at&t would have been killed along time ago if people really had to do that to figure out the details there would be a strong revolt against the complexity. it is extremely burdensome if you try to do it without preparation. >>host: give us the history. >>g